by Charity Buntz

Created on: July 28, 2009

The word "allow" made me smirk a little and encouraged my response to this question. As a parent, I feel that I only have about 18 years to allow my children to do anything. After that, you must trust that you instilled the right values and appreciation of life for your children to be successful and happy. Would I allow my 16 year old to marry someone of another race? Certainly not. But I also wouldn't let them marry someone of the same race. In our modern-day society, that is just too young.

However, if my adult child (18+) decided to date, live with, or even marry a person of a different race, I would not be so bold to think that I could forbid it. I probably wouldn't encourage it, as I believe it could make for a slightly more difficult life. You only have to read the "NO" answers to this question to see why that is.

When it comes to raising my children, my goal is to make them happy contributing members of society. I want to give them a good education, a comfortable home and a positive outlook on life. When I am an old woman, I would like to know that my children have a happy life. That they are truly content with themselves and with their life decisions. Note I said THEIR life decisions. As long as my daughter is with someone who loves her, appreciates her, takes care of her and provides a good life for her, I could care less about their race, or even their sex for that matter.

I was raised in a pretty strict home environment. There were many things that other kids were allowed to do that I was not. My parents made it their place to make sure that I was educated and kept safe while in their care. But the day I turned 18, my dad looked at me and said, "Well, baby, I've done the best I could. You are an adult now, and you will have to start making all of your own decisions. If you need anything, you know that I am always here for you." He let me go. Both of my parents realized that they couldn't control every aspect of my life forever. You do the very best you can, and then you sit back and enjoy the reward of watching your children grow into themselves, learning from their mistakes and creating a life that is right for them.

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